There are plenty of qualified attorneys in St. Tammany Parish who serve the people of Covington. You are doing your research, which means something has happened. Something serious enough to engage legal counsel. No one reads lawyer websites until they need one.
Our clients came to us after they were injured, usually because of someone else's negligence. This page explains how car accident claims work in Louisiana, what your rights are after a crash in Covington, and what Morris & Dewett offers. Read it. Compare us to others. Make the decision that is right for your situation.
Car Crash Attorneys
After a car crash on LA 21, Hwy 190, or any street in Covington, LA, you may not know what happened or who is to blame. You do not have to figure that out alone. At Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, our Covington car accident lawyers are available 24/7. We have the answers and experience you need to move your claim forward.
Our Covington car accident attorneys handle complex auto accident cases involving disputed liability, insurance company resistance, and serious injuries. If you have been hurt in a traffic crash in St. Tammany Parish, Morris & Dewett can represent your interests from investigation through resolution.
What Are the Leading Causes of Car Accidents?
Auto wrecks happen every day, and most of them are caused by some type of negligence. Here is a closer look at the most common forms of negligence that cause auto accidents in Covington, throughout Louisiana, and across the U.S.
Driver Negligence & Car Accidents
More than 9 in every 10 car crashes are the result of motorist errors (source: NHTSA). Most of the time, these driver mistakes involve errors in:
Perception and recognition: About 41% of driver-error crashes are caused by motorists not seeing key signals in their surroundings or misinterpreting what they are seeing. This can include misperceiving traffic signs, brake lights, turn signals, and the movement of surrounding traffic.
Decision: Around 1 in 3 car accidents involving a motorist error is the result of a driver making a dangerous decision behind the wheel. This may include making a left-hand turn without enough room, following other vehicles too closely, or speeding.
Performance: Failing to properly control and maneuver a vehicle causes about 11% of all auto crashes caused by driver errors. This commonly includes failing to keep a vehicle within a lane of traffic or overcorrecting after turning.
Drivers are far more likely to experience perception, decision, and performance errors when they are impaired by distraction, alcohol, drugs, or extreme fatigue.
Vehicle Equipment Malfunctions & Auto Wrecks
About 2% of all car accidents in the U.S. are caused by vehicle equipment failures (source: NHTSA). When this factor is involved in wrecks, the vehicle components most likely to experience problems are:
Tires: Around 35% of motor vehicle accidents caused by equipment failures are the result of tire failures, like blowouts.
Brakes: Around 22% of these crashes involve braking system problems, like brake fade or the braking system failing to work altogether.
Steering, suspension, transmission, or engine: About 3% of wrecks resulting from vehicle equipment failures involve one of these major systems malfunctioning.
Although drivers may have a sense of vehicle system failures immediately before a crash, it often takes thorough follow-up investigations to uncover and prove this cause. When equipment failure is a factor, negligent automakers and others can be liable for the crashes caused by their faulty or dangerous equipment.
Other Car Accident Causes
Environmental factors, including poor road and weather conditions, play a role in causing about 2% of all car accidents in the U.S. (source: NHTSA). Various parties can be responsible for maintaining safe roads. They may also have a duty to take special care when extreme or adverse weather hits. These parties, which can include cities, counties, homeowners' associations, and others, can be liable for their failures to keep roads safe when dangerous roadway conditions contribute to wrecks.
Car Accident Facts & Statistics
The latest car accident statistics for Covington and Louisiana reveal how often people are getting hurt in crashes, and why car accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in the U.S. (source: LSU).
When Should I Contact a Covington Car Accident Lawyer?
As soon as possible. A Covington car accident attorney can immediately advise you of your rights and what you need to do to protect, initiate, and advance a claim.
Even if you are not 100% certain about fault or the extent of your injuries, talking to a car accident lawyer early can help with evidence preservation, communications with insurance adjusters, meeting claim deadlines, and building a complete record of your losses.
The sooner an attorney is involved after a car accident, the stronger the foundation for your claim.
How Does a Car Accident Claim Work?
Car accident cases can proceed in different ways, depending on who the liable parties are and whether fault for the crash is disputed. In general, these cases start with investigations, liability determinations, and claims with insurance companies. From there, it may be necessary to bring in experts, take depositions, and come to the negotiation table to see if an out-of-court settlement is possible. If not, court may be the next step.
For more on this process, see our guide to the motor vehicle accident settlement process in Louisiana.
How Long Do Car Accident Cases Take to Resolve?
There is no standard answer to this question. The details of any given case can impact how long it takes to resolve a claim and what challenges may arise along the way.
A Covington car accident lawyer at Morris & Dewett can address this question in a no-obligation, confidential consultation after hearing more about your collision and situation. Factors that affect timeline include the severity of injuries, the number of liable parties, insurance company cooperation, and whether the case proceeds to litigation.
How Much Are Car Accident Settlements & Compensation?
The damage and injuries caused by a wreck play a key role in determining compensation amounts. So do liability determinations. In Covington and throughout Louisiana, traffic crash victims can still file claims for compensation even if they shared some portion of liability for the accident. Louisiana follows comparative fault rules, meaning partial fault does not automatically bar recovery.
When claims are successful, car accident compensation can include damages for medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and permanent impairment. For examples of outcomes in our cases, see our case results.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What are the leading causes of car accidents in Covington?
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More than 9 in 10 car crashes are caused by driver errors, including failures in perception, decision-making, and vehicle control. About 2% of crashes involve vehicle equipment failures such as tire blowouts or brake failures. Another 2% involve environmental or road condition factors. In each of these scenarios, one or more parties may bear legal liability for the resulting harm.
- Q: When should I contact a car accident lawyer in Covington?
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As soon as possible after a crash. Early contact with an attorney allows you to preserve evidence, understand your rights, and avoid missteps in communications with insurance adjusters. You do not need to be certain about fault or the full extent of your injuries before calling.
- Q: How does a car accident claim work in Louisiana?
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Most claims begin with an investigation into fault, followed by a demand to the at-fault party's insurer. If the insurer disputes liability or offers an insufficient settlement, the next step may be litigation. Louisiana's prescriptive period (statute of limitations) for personal injury claims is generally one year from the date of the accident, so timing matters.
- Q: How long do car accident cases take to resolve?
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Timeline varies significantly by case. Straightforward claims with clear liability and documented injuries can resolve in months. Cases involving disputed fault, serious injuries, or multiple defendants can take a year or more. An attorney can give you a realistic estimate after reviewing the specific facts of your case.
- Q: How much are car accident settlements in Louisiana?
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Settlement amounts depend on the severity of injuries, the clarity of liability, available insurance coverage, and the economic and non-economic losses involved. Louisiana uses a comparative fault system, so even if you were partly at fault, you may still recover compensation reduced by your percentage of fault. There is no standard settlement amount.
These answers reflect Louisiana law as of . For case specific advice, consult with a Louisiana personal injury attorney who can evaluate your particular circumstances.